Septic tank probing 101

jCarroll

Well-known Member
Location
mid-Ohio
A recent posting about septic tank pumping hit my hot button - makes me think probing ours would be a good idea.

House built in 2007, vacant for 2-3 years, we bought it in 2012. Usually just two occupants.
Has not been pumped to my knowledge.

So I'm ready to probe to determine sludge level. My idea is to use a length of 1.5" PVC with a cap on the end.
How will I "feel" the bottom of the liquid and the top of the sludge. Will it be "obvious"? Or will I need to take samples at various depths?
 
Our tank was a very similar scenario, and when we had it pumped we had a big cover (16 inch dia) off. I don't know if there was an obvious sludge layer, it probably didn't need pumping. I think I would make a disc as large as you can get through the pipe, if it's only 4 or 6 inch, and put that on the end of a pipe, maybe you will be able to feel the sludge layer.
 
Probing will give you a feel. The stuff you buy at desperate depot should keep it working well. Now,, I live just me at my house and have mine pumped every three years. The solids are what will screw up your system cause if she gets too deep it goes into the field and now you ARE in deep dodo. The newer bugs that you can get in a bottle work just great and very little stays in the tank anymore. Have it pumped and see what your levels are. This will be a touch stone for you and then wait three or four years and see what you have. Some folks will go ten years and still are fine. The biggest trouble I have is it is so flat where I live and the pipe to the tank gets very unhappy if something sticks. NEVER put any grease down your system. I wipe pots and pans with a paper towel first. That's about it.
 
I have one that was put in at the factory in 1976 and has never been pumped. I bought the house I live in 23 years ago and I have never had it pumped. I have never added anything to either one. The one at the old farm house where we raised our kids needed pumped every four or five years. Ample drainage system in good purkable soil I think is the answer but just my guess.
 
Everything goes in the tank EXCEPT salt from the water softener. Twice a year I put in half an ice cream bucket of FEED UREA. We also use only AMWAY products. Both were advised by my septic tank installer. I thought I had a problem after 20+ years and had it pumped but it was an old piece of steel line corroded and plugged. There was very little sludge and a thin layer on top. I replaced the line from the tank to the distribution box making sure the slope was correct and put an extension on the box so it can be checked easily.
Dave
 
40 years is a long time- you need to pump it. Some non-digestable stuff goes in, no matter how careful you are- dirt in mop water poured down the toilet or drain, dirty water and grease from the clothes washer, bits of plastic, dirt from washing vegetables in the sink, etc. It may take a long time, but it will eventually fill the septic tank, and once it does, the sludge will fill your drainfield and you get to put in a new system to the tune of 10 grand or so. Someone said below that if it is working correctly, you won't have any sludge. Not so- there are some things that the bugs just can't eat.

We hadn't pumped ours for 15 years, and when we did so, he found that the concrete baffle that keeps solids out of the drainfield was failing- he made a new one out of PVC, and we're good to go. But he said we were probably a couple of years from getting solids into the drainfield and ruining it. You used to be able to just dig a new drainfield, but not so in most places anymore- so be real careful you don't let it get ruined.
 
See if you can find a clear vinyl pipe 1 1/2 or 2". Get a slip fit cap or MA and FMT Cap on one end.

Drop the pipe in, both ends open. Cap it to seal, lift out and rinse the outside. You will be able to see the solid and liquid levels...held in with the vacuum of air. Like a straw at Mc Donalds and your thumb.
 
(quoted from post at 11:21:24 02/01/16) We also use only AMWAY products.
Used to work at a place once where there was guy that sold AMWAY stuff. He would get chummy real quick with anyone new just to try and 'recruit' them. We nicknamed him 'NOWAY'.
 
I like the clear pipe idea. I was told to tie/tape a clean white cloth to the outside of the pole before dipping. Either I couldn't tell the difference or I had no sludge.

Our septic take guy (since deceased) used to recommend pumping every 3 years, but since people don't tend to keep track he advised to just pump it on (presidential) election years, figuring the BS swirling around would remind us to get our personal reserve of S cleaned out.

Works for me.
 
if a tank is working right you'll have plenty of sludge,....it's matter it won't just go away !!!
 
(quoted from post at 15:34:57 02/01/16)
(quoted from post at 10:33:42 02/01/16) If a septic tank is working right you should have no sludge.

Exactly. And there is no need to pump it out.

There are things that the bacteria in the tank can't eat. There is always some sludge produced. You can reduce it, but you cannot eliminate it.
 
Around here the county sends a notice to have your tank pumped every three years. Seems a little quick but who am I to argue with them!Jim
 
I would just get it pumped out and then you know what you got. If the solids get too high and into your leach field you will have bigger problems.
 
If I were you I would have it pumped, and start out fresh. You have no idea what the previous owner put down the hole. Stan
 
Thanks a lot you guys for dredging this topic up!!

I saw some weird stuff in my shower a week ago- thought maybe the wife shook out the haircut cape when my son was here. Yesterday, I heard the toilet gurgling after my shower. I figured I better take advantage of the lack of snow to check the tank.

Well, the tank cover used to be marked by a flower garden stepping stone, but SWMBO has done some remodeling and additions, so I dug up three of them before I found the cover. Pulled the lid, and there was a solid layer right there. Fortunately, the layer was thin and water was underneath. The tank is overflowing, so the water is not draining away properly. The septic pumper will be here this afternoon to clean and inspect. Hopefully a cleaning will solve the problem. This 100 gallon tank and the drain field are not quite 19 years old, with the family living here the last 14.
 

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